Mauri was my Command Master Chief when I was a CO in Key West. He is rounding the final corner of his circumnavigation. I hope he gets his pee pee working and makes this last leg. I thought you may enjoy his crusty comments. He has lost some toes do to diabetes, hence the "cross your toes" comments. Ed, AD4FJ -----Original Message----- From: maurice cullen [mailto:goatlocker3@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2001 5:54 PM To: ayumyum@hotmail.com Subject: Generic Letter 21 Jan 2K+1 Cape Town , South Africa 1725 GMT Ciao, SOMEBODY DIDN't CROSS THEIR TOES !!!!!! All dressedup, stocked up, with crew, ready to check out again and the Kidneys stuffed up!!! Checked into hospital for 4 days of pump out They threw me out on Monday. I just don't adjust/adhere to hospital bureaucracy. Now after changing Meds will go in for check-out by doc. Will take crew with me so they will be aware of condition. Doctor has said, "should consider furling up sails" but after working on me asked that I send him postcards from my future ports of call. The good from wa that I picked up an experinced young man with a Skippers ticket and Sea time. I might get some training and instructions finally. Jack is from Kenya, hes black, Therefore I have been warned by the Royal Cape Yacht Club, I can't sell him on arrival. Am definetly going to miss South Africa, especiallly Cape Town. Fantastic people and asssistance second to none. Alll cruisers should stop at RCYC - definetly the best I've seen in 9 years. They don't have problems, "They'll make a plan", and it usuallly works!!! Its been a great place look forward to coming back. With Doctor and crew OK I am out of here this week. Am feeling outstanding, and kidneys are functioninggoog. Therefore lets hope the next E-Mail is from St.Heleana. Please, keep your toes crossed. Mauri -----Original Message----- From: maurice cullen [mailto:goatlocker3@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, February 19, 2001 3:31 PM Subject: Generic Letter 19 Feb 2K+1 Jamestown , St. Heleana 1501 GMT Ciao, I lay "claim" to the wooden spoon. Awarded for the longest passage Cape |Town to St. Heleana, 24 days!!!!! Was becalmed for 5 days, and rarely had wind in excess of 15 knots. You just can't move 17 ton of boat with less than 20. As of now I am 27 minutes from passing thru all 360 degrees of dear old mother earth. Just got to go about 4000 km to join the dot for a complete circumnavigation. Not bad fro 9 (nine) years. Broken gear- Head Sail- Tore while coming off coast of Africa in 40+ knots wind. Fresh Water pump for galley. - Have jury riged and made itvfunctional but ain't no Westr Marine nearby. Voltage regulator for Solar panels or 1 of 6 new battries is not functioning correctly. Tomorrows problem to sort out. Winch for reefing lines broke off the boom. Have "made a plan" to work around it. Freeze Plug on Diesel - Jury rigged with Resin and liqid metalvengine now functional. Should get a good price for this crew when I reach Antigua. They ar "outstanding". We are all still talking to each other. Both are neat as pins and workers. Best cruise I've had in 9 years. Chili's are great but need more rusks. Only problem with crew is we speak 3 different versions of English, (American, Kenyan, South African). Landed one fish but hookef up 4 and Jan Gaffed one while we were becalmed. Definetly miss Cape Town. Really the first port I've left and somtimes wish I hadn't. The peole are great. Did get a call from a merchant vessel that someone had put out an inquiry on our wherebouts and status. Thanks. Hope to leave on Thursday for Antigua, 4000 km. Keep your toes crossed, I can't. Mauri